A celebration of everyday heroes comes to ZUMIX on May 30
Special to the Times-Free Press
On Saturday, May 30, Portraits Us will bring together songwriters, young people, and community members from across Greater Boston for a participatory musical event honoring everyday heroes.
Created by composer and teaching artist J. Andrés Ballesteros, with Angelina Botticelli, the project invited young musicians to reflect on the people who shape our daily lives. Over the course of the spring, Ballesteros and Botticelli led workshops with these youth from across the region to develop a collection of “portrait songs” that celebrate parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors.
The capstone event, presented in collaboration with ZUMIX, begins at 11:00 AM with a Community Sing, where attendees are invited to learn and sing the songs written by Ballesteros and Botticelli in an open, welcoming environment. No prior musical experience is required. Lunch will be provided for participants, followed by a 1:00 PM performance featuring youth-created works, selections from the community sing, and a performance by ZUMIX’s Streetwise ensemble. Community members unable to join for the Community Sing are welcome to join for the afternoon performance.
“This project is about recognizing the people who show up for us every day,” said Ballesteros. “My song about an ESL teacher in East Boston, for example, got me to really think about how we can be intentional in building community. It has been an honor to work with Angelina and this group of talented youth as they write their own portrait songs.”
Hosted at ZUMIX, the event emphasizes community participation, storytelling, and intergenerational collaboration. All events are free of charge, with registration required at jaballesteros.com/portraits. Donations in support of the artists and ZUMIX are accepted.
This project is supported by a Neighborhood Activation Grant from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, with in-kind support from ZUMIX.
Details at a Glance
Portraits of Us: Celebrating Everyday Heroes through Song
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 11:00am (Community Sing) & 1:00pm (Performance)
ZUMIX (260 Sumner St, East Boston, MA 02128)
Free registration available here
J. Andrés Ballesteros is a composer, educator, and administrator based in Boston whose work blends classical music with a diverse array of genres and issues of social justice. Andrés often collaborates with youth and community members to write music that touches on themes of immigration, climate justice, and more. He taught at Boston Arts Academy and has continued to uplift youth creativity through workshops and projects at Juilliard Extension, Harvard University, and more. Andrés has been a leader on issues of representation, inclusion, and community engagement in classical music, working with and advising dozens of organizations, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Harvard University and the Gabriela Ortiz Composing Studio, he has been named a Boston Latino 30 Under 30 honoree, spoken at the League of American Orchestras National Conference, and been profiled in Ana Francisca Vega’s book Corazón de Mexicanos Como Yo, highlighting 50 Mexican Americans who broke boundaries. Learn more at jaballesteros.com.
Angelina Botticelli is a creative from East Boston, Massachusetts. From a very young age, she has been an active community member, musician, and motivated student leader through her involvement with Boston-based organizations such as ZUMIX, Boston Arts Academy, and Berklee College of Music’s City Music Program. Currently a Music Business and Entrepreneurship major at Berklee College of Music, she’s focused on using creativity and innovation to make a positive social change. On a daily basis, you can find Angelina working on projects ranging from wardrobe styling a friend’s show, writing a business plan, composing a new song, or really anything having to do with living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, including eating lots of yummy plant-based foods! Angelina will be compensated as a songwriter and workshop leader.
The Portraits Fellows
Emma Adeniji, 20, of Stoughton
Shea William Kelly of East Boston, 14. 8th grade at Boston Latin School (attending Boston Arts Academy next year)
Eden Lovelace, 21, of Malden
Katie Quintero, 17, of Revere
Ark Salmonsen, 20, of Malden
Josue Mateo Toloza Acevedo, 15, of Chelsea. 10th grade at Chelsea High School.
Hudson Urasaki, 16, of East Boston. Boston Latin School.
ZUMIX is an East Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building our community through music and creative technology. We believe music is the most powerful means of developing adolescent self-identity. Our award-winning music and creative technology programming is designed to equip youth with the tools necessary to reach their full potential, while creating a safe space for youth to explore who they are and who they want to be. Through community events, ZUMIX also provides access to top-quality arts experiences for a low-income, historically underserved neighborhood. ZUMIX would be compensated depending on services provided, but will likely involve individuals providing advice.
Streetwise, led by Steve Chandy, is a ZUMiX songwriting program where students learn to write, record, and perform. Through songwriting we learn to weave the self into the fabric of culture and community. Tapping into our internal flow, taking ownership of our stories, establishing form and connecting ourselves to a legacy of creatives.